February 2013
Phase 2 Nearly Complete
Beckenhauer Construction informed the Board of Trustees that the helipad in operational. All the lights are working along with the lighted wind sock. Only thing left to complete but that can be done in the spring is seal the concrete joints when the weather warms up. Temporary walls are being installed for Phase 2 of the project. It is hopeful that Phase 2 will be completed by May 2013. Cardiac Rehab has been upgraded to its new new area which allows for easier patient access to the department. New equipment was also purchased with the departments upgrade.
September 28, 2012
Phase I of KCHS Addition Nearly Completed: Ribbon Cutting Set for September 28
Phase 1 of the construction project is just about done. There are some minor details to complete in the next two weeks with flooring, cabinetwork, and counter tops as the major items to get accomplished. Barring any major items that come up on the punch list the staff will be busy moving into the new patient rooms by as early as September 17. On the exterior, landscaping is underway and the new canopy is done. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on September 28, 2012 at 3 p.m. for the public to tour the new patient rooms, admission area and cardiac rehab.
July 2012
Front Exterior of New Hospital Done
The new Hospital exterior is nearly completed. The panels in the front exterior will be done by the end of the week and sidewalks will be done after that. The installation of the canopy that comes off the entrance has been delayed due to painting but it will be ready to be installed by the second week in September. The patient rooms will all be done by the first week in September and Phase 2 will begin around the first of October.
April 2012
Construction begins on new Nurses Station
Plumbers and HVAC work is almost complete while painters are scheduled will be on site in a few days. The cabinets and the headwalls will be here the middle of May. The biggest concern will be getting an area to work on the new nurse’s station, which will take up a couple of rooms. Overall the project is right on schedule or a few weeks ahead in some areas. Progress has been made on the installation of the cabinetwork, ceramic tile, and the head walls. The ceiling grids are in and lift rails which will be in each patient room are up. Masonry work and window installation is near completion.
January 2012
Steel Work Main Focus of Project
The main focus on the Hospital Project has been on the steel work. Next week the decking on the roof will start as well as the exterior walls. If the weather cooperates plans are to get the permanent roofing on so it will be completely weather tight. Concrete work, also depending on the weather, will start in the next few weeks. A sample of brick design and colors were available for viewing on the Beckenhauer sign in front of the current hospital entrance. At this time the project is right on schedule.
September 28, 2011
KCHS Holds Groundbreaking on Expansion Project
KCHS broke ground on the next stage of the hospital expansion with a ceremony on Wednesday, September 28. Fred Meis, the hospital CEO welcomed guests. He explained that the hospital was beginning phase two of the renovation project. Phase one had included new heating and air systems, as well as a complete sprinkler system for fire control. Phase two plans to improve patient rooms, as well as expanding the hospital grounds. Mayor Roger Jones, Richard Schwenka, Robert Garrett and Clark Abrahamson also also took part in the ceremony. Pastor Don Becker gave a blessing and prayer over the groundbreaking. Taking part in the ground breaking was James R Brisnehan-Prinicipal Architect, Dr. Paul Grow, Chief the Medical Staff, Rebekah Mussman, CFO, Mary Bunger, Director of Nurses, Richard Schwenka, Chairman County Board of Supervisors, Richard McBride, Board of Supervisors hospital liaison, Lowell Beckenhauer, Jr. Contractor, and KCHS Board of Trustees, Robert Garrett, Chairman, Clark Abrahamson, Secretary, Jeff Hanson, Jeff Larson, and Dr. Ed Alderman.
September 20, 2011
Groundbreaking of Kearney County Hospital Improvement Project Announced
MINDEN, Nebraska — With the start of its 24-month construction project for a $10 million hospital expansion this fall, Kearney County Health Services will mark this occasion with a ground-breaking program beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
The public is invited to learn about the expansion project and how it will help meet the growing and changing healthcare needs of local residents. The new 8,600 square foot addition will contain 10 new in-patient private rooms that respect patient’s privacy, are inviting and comforting as well as encourage family involvement. A new cardiac rehabilitation department and a new reception and admissions area and entrance are also part of the new construction. The existing 7,900 square foot acute care wing will be renovated and converted into a new larger two bay emergency room with waiting area, four outpatient exam rooms with two outpatient physician offices, a pharmacy area, nurses’ station and procedure room.
Kearney County residents are invited to the celebration which will begin at 3 p.m. in the south parking lot. Refreshments and a preview of the new plans that will soon be underway will follow. Completion of the project is estimated to take 24 months with a grand opening in the fall of 2013.
June 17, 2011
Hospital Overhaul Will Change Face of KCHS
(Minden, NE) – The hospital in Minden is beginning a new age of medical care in Kearney County for its patients. In only a few short months, Kearney County Health Services will begin construction on their $10 million renovation plan to transform the building into a modern medical facility. Since the hospital improvement board passed the improvement plans, KCHS nursing and medical staff have been working closely with Cannon, Moss, Brygger Architects to create the design/build plans to tailor their needs. Although the details are yet to be finalized, anything from floor coverings to patient room design and nursing call systems have been considered. CEO of KCHS Fred Meis says plans must then be submitted to Federal, State, and local authorities such as the Fire Marshall for approval. Physical construction is projected to begin in September 2011. The estimate for completion remains at a steady two years, but when the actual renovation begins, the reality of their time frame will become clearer.
March 16, 2011
Voters in Kearney County decided the fate of the $10 million Kearney County Hospital improvement project with an overwhelming "For" vote on March 15, 2011.
During the campaign informational meetings were held at the hospital and throughout the county to inform the residents about the importance of the hospital improvement project and the how the bond would affect area property owners. The county-wide special bond election included Minden and the surrounding communities of Heartwell, Wilcox, Norman and Axtell. The "For" vote provided issuance of bonds totaling $10 million for the purpose of paying for the construction of a new patient room wing and renovation of the existing 56 year old facility. Repayment of the bond will be paid through a tax on all property within Kearney County. The increase in the property tax levy is estimated at 8.5 cents or approximately $85 on every $100,000 of valuation.The bonds could be refinanced at a lower rate or retired in whole or in part from any excess hospital funds at any time after five years. After finalizing the project plans, ground breaking is anticipated in late August or early September, 2011.
The Kearney County Health Services Board of Trustees, administration and staff would like to thank the citizens of Kearney County for their support of keeping Kearney County Health Services a vital part of the community.